Cal South E-News | February 2011 NUTRITION EDUCATION

Tired of feeling sore after a game? Try eating more colorful fruits and veggies. Tart cherries, pomegranates, purple grapes, and blueberries: these are just a few of the colorful fruits and their juices that are filled with healing powers. Colorful fruits are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and they are perfect remedies for soccer players who get "beat up" during a game.

Several studies have shown the power of fruits in reducing muscle pain. For example, tart cherry juice taken for seven days before-and on the day of- a 12-mile run significantly reduced post-run pain (1). Sounds to me like a better alternative to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), where you run the risk of adverse medical effects.

While the folks who sell tart cherry juice products have funded this research, the bottom line is that all colorful fruits and their juices are very powerful in terms of reducing pain associated with inflammation. These include purple grape juice, pomegranate juice, as well as strawberries, blueberries, dates, mangos, etc.

How do you plan these health-protective fruits into your diet? Four easy suggestions include:

Sprinkle generous amounts of chopped dates, dried apricots and other dried fruit on top of oatmeal or other breakfast cereal.

Tuck two bottles into your gym bag: one with water, one with tart cherry, pomegranate or blueberry juice into your gym bag so the fluids will be ready and waiting to quench your thirst.

Establish a food rule: You have to eat some dates (they are powerfully sweet and very rich in anti-oxidants) before you have a cookie or other dessert. (Hopefully, this will even kill your appetite for the cookie!)

Eat wisely and be well,
Nancy Clark and Gloria Averbuch
Food Guide for Soccer: Tips and Recipes from the Pros

About the Author
Nancy Clark, MS RD CSSD is an internationally known sports nutritionist and nutrition author. She is a registered dietitian (RD) who specializes in nutrition for exercise, health and the nutritional management of eating disorders. She is board certified as a specialist in sports dietietics (CSSD). Check out her website at www.nancyclarkrd.com